Week 27 - Hot, Slow Week

My Dear Family,

How is life back home? This past weekend was unbelievable hot!!! to quote Bill Cosby: "it was 104 degrees....in the shade.... not a snowball in sight." hahaha But honestly it was true! we would get in our car after it was parked in the shade, and it would say it was over 100 outside. so ridiculous!! Not very much happened this week. We contacted a referral who actually turned out to be a Less-Active member who hasn't been to church since he was 9. He expressed great interest in coming back to church, so we're helping him as best we can to get to church :)

On Tuesday, We had a Zone Training Meeting, and during the break we had, they brought out a birthday surprise for me and another Sister missionary, (because her birthday was last Sunday) and we both really like batman, so they brought out a homemade strawberry cake with chocolate frosting on it except for the middle which was shaped like the batman logo from the new movies. It was super awesome!! I wish I had a picture! but it tasted good! haha

The members are very nice here and help us out when they can, because they know that the weather is awful! 

We don't have any investigators right now, but we're praying and searching as much as we can.

I wish there was more to tell, but honestly, not much is happening.

Please continue to write and email when you can, I love hearing from you all! 

With much love,

Elder Patrick Wockenfuss/PieDeNubes

O yeah, last monday we went to a place called the Root Beer company, and it has so many different kinds of sodas!! I bought a couple that I'm attaching to this email. One is called Stalinade, and the other is called "Seal ya Later", they tasted pretty good! I also bought Butterbeer like from Harry Potter! That was super good stuff! :D

(E-mail to Buddy)

I love your meme with the hulk/boromir thing! that was funny!

[e-mail to Mary]

Dear Mary,

Thank you so much for the video! I loved it! :D It was a super awesome birthday with the Zapot family!! They are my favorite family to eat with! I feel like they're like us, but hispanic haha

This week we found someone who was actually less active since he was 9, and we're helping him come back to church! :)

This week I've been doing a lot of reading out of "Our Search For Happiness", and it's a pretty good read so far! He explains a lot about priesthood authority, and the restoration, and a lot of things that we believe in. If we can find anyone to teach, maybe I'll be able to share some of the things that he talks about :)

Please continue to write and email when you can! I love to hear from you!

With much love,

Elder Patrick Wockenfuss

PS Could you send me a genealogy fan chart of our family?

Week 26 - A VERY Happy Birthday!

Dear Mom and Family,

There's nothing terribly new here in Temecula, still very hot, and not a lot of hispanics to teach. We're trying though! We found a few recently, and hopefully we're teaching them soon! :)

I have to give a discussion tomorrow at Zone Training Meeting about Christlike Communication, and I'm struggling hardcore to put it together! I'm trying as best I can, and hoping for the best tomorrow! :)

The greatest part of my week was probably my birthday packages, I LOVED my birthday presents!! I took a lot of lot pictures! I really hope you like them!

 You will not believe...actually, you probably would believe, how so very happy and excited I was to see that you had found my mini quad!!! :D Clearly my face says everything haha

[The quad had been missing for over a year.]

YOU FOUND THE ONE I WANTED!! :D [His electronic Spanish-English pocket translator.] that was the exact one! I use ALL the time now! I used to carry around a tiny note book and write down words I heard that I didn't know, and then look them up later with the simple spanish-english dictionary I had from the MTC, but now I can do it on the GO! :D And have awesome exercises to learn them!! THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!

See next email for more pictures

With much love,

Elder Patrick PieDeNubes

SO MANY BOXES!! I was so surprised! :)

I LOVE the crown!! I wore it that whole evening! And will wear it again on wednesday haha Thanks Katie!

I was touched by your testimonies in the copies of the Book of Mormon. You're wanting me to give these to people right? Even the DVDs? I totally will, if that's what you're wanting me to do! :)

I opened the box with the Earthquake detection kit, and at first, I was puzzled, but then I died laughing! I love that thing!! Going on my wall at my desk! XD

Ummm....I found this pen in the box....did you mean to send this to me?

[No. But, now he has an extra!]

I love this tie!! I wore it Saturday! Thank you Mary!

Thank you so much for the Chess set Buddy! I love it! I play a lot with Elder Ellsworth now! The score: E. Ellsworth: 4    and E. Wockenfuss..........0 hahaha I will beat him one day!!

I'm wearing your tie today, Katie! It makes me think of Elsa too! I love it! :D my FROZEN tie!! 

Megan sent me a neon zipper pouch as a planner case. I had asked her to send me something I could use as a case to protect my planner from rain and sweat, so she sent me this! :) I also sprayed rain-protective stuff on it haha

Megan sent me a nice cool tie! Sunday's tie :)

 

CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!!!!! (that Megan sent me haha)

 Megan's mom also sent me a package with lots of treats and a tie! (I'll include the pic next week)

And she [Megan] sent me Avengers Sunblock. BEST. THING. EVER. :D



And I love the avengers shirt!! :D Totally awesome!!

I hope these pictures make up for my lack of talking in this email, because I don't have very much time left. If I had thought ahead, I probably would've filmed a video of me opening my packages. But I at least got these pictures :) For CHristmas, I'll film a video AND take pictures! :D

I love you all so much! Thank you for the wonderful birthday!! It definitely made my week! :D I was so so very happy with all of it!! I'm a very easy person to please haha :)

With much love,

Elder Patrick Wockenfuss

Week 25 - Elder "Pie de Nubes"

My Dear Family,

Yes indeed, I have been transferred to Temecula! Elder Emerick and I just switched spots where we got trained! haha And I think it's super cool that Elder Ellsworth is my companion now! Because when I first showed up in the mission, he was the Elder that taught me all the Spanish that I know now! :D So I already know him pretty well, and we are, of course, getting along very well! :)

Temecula is very HOT!! But I love the branch here! and the Members! They are very nice, and welcoming. and they can actually say "Wockenfuss" fairly okay! haha :) But my nickname here is "Pie de Nubes" (in english: Cloud Foot). They asked what Wockenfuss means in German, so I told them about Cloud Foot, and it makes sense to them. So I am Elder Pie de Nubes here haha

Right now, the work is tiny bit slow here, but I'm hoping that it'll pick up soon! The Branch did a fast for missionary work yesterday, so I'm sure it'll pick up soon! :) I'm also gonna try a training here that I was given in Escondido called "My List of Friends" to help members think of and find people that they can share the gospel with. I know it's worked in Escondido, so there's no reason it won't work here :)

I personally think that there's a reason for all things, mom. Maybe the Lord had you [go through that trial], or maybe it was teach you something about the Savior, or maybe some other reason. But I believe, one way or the other, He had you do it for a reason. Don't question if the revelation you receive is from God or not. The only reason to question something is if it is not in harmony with gospel teachings or God's Nature. If it is of virtue, loving, of good report, or praiseworthy, it is from God. I've been worried in the past if something that felt I should say or do is from God, or if it's just my own thoughts. but I remember from Elder Bednar when someone asked him pretty much that same question, and he told the person that if it is something that is good, then it doesn't matter, because everything that is good comes from God. You've probably heard that one before, but reminders are always good to have. :)

I love you so much! please continue to write and email when you can! I love hearing from you!

With much love,

Elder Patrick Wockenfuss

Week 24 - Transfers, New Apartment & Flat Tires

Dear Mom and family,

My week has been good! My weekend has been slightly hectic though. several days ago, the AP's called Elder Jensen and I and told us that we're going to be moving into a different apartment, so we would at some point have to pack up everything and move. Saturday night Transfer calls came, and I am getting transferred! I was surprised by that! I thought I was going to stay another transfer with Elder Jensen, but oh well, the Lord needs me else where now, and I am super excited! Elder Jensen says that I made a new record in packing. The night we got the call, I had packed almost everything I had (minus hygiene stuff and bedding) into my suitcases in about half an hour haha. and then yesterday, the AP's talked to us again and told us to move in to our new apartment today! So we've spent the morning getting all our personal things together in a car and moving it over. But it's been pretty good though! :)

With that aside, things are going well! We haven't picked up anyone new for us to teach this week, but it's been good finding the people that we ran into this week. We came across a women who wasn't a member who knew very much about the Book of Mormon. She told us about King Benjamin and King Mosiah and the things that they did. She told us that she wanted to go to church and to be taught by the missionaries, so we gave her the address for our nearest chapel, and sent her as a referral to english Elders nearby. Even though we didn't pick her up as an investigator, another companionship is picking her up. So that's still good for me! :)

Thank you so much for writing even throughout all the trials your having! I love you all so much!

WIth much love,

Elder Patrick Wockenfuss

[A message to Buddy]

the other day, Elder Jensen had 3 flat tires on his bike, all in one day. It was rough haha and we couldn't get it fixed yesterday, so we just walked and used the bus to get around. Since we were walking around, we were running late for dinner, so tried to find a short cut, and decided to go through the woods. It was quite the adventure! And by doing so, we basically walked right through Hobo Central. There are so many homeless people that live in those woods! It's crazy! haha but we were safe though :) and we finally made it to dinner!

Week 23 - New Investigators & a Missionary Birthday Wish

My Dear Family,

Thanks for taking care of my mess back home! haha And thanks for the pictures! I always love to see how home is doing :)

This past weekend was pretty wet. It rained almost all day on Saturday and Sunday, so needless to say, I was soaked haha but this past week we found 5 new investigators! That's the most we've found in a single week here in this area! :D Some of them had questions about what we believed and why there are so many churches around today, so we sat down with them and helped them to understand the Great Apostasy and the need for a restoration, and it made sense to them! :D

What have you been learning about this week? How has God been in your life this week?

I've been trying to think throughout the week about what I want for my birthday, and I thought of a few things, but at one point, I thought about something that I feel like I definitely want: In the month of August, I want the members of the Morrilton Ward (and any other member that hears about this email) to (1) share the gospel with at least 3 people, and invite them to take lessons from the missionaries, and (2) to go out with the missionaries at least once or twice in the month. Not just necessarily just for any particular lesson they have planned. But even going with them when they're trying to find new people out on the street, or door-to-door, or with anything else that they do to help and find people to come closer to Christ. and then (3) I want to hear about your missionary experiences you all have sharing the gospel, and being with the missionaries. This is my birthday wish.

If anyone is scared, or don't know how to share the gospel with someone they're thinking about, ask the missionaries for help. They are more than willing to help you share the gospel with friends.

I was studying in Preach my Gospel this past week, and I read that missionary work is a responsibility of the members as well. When we are baptized, we are essentially signing up for a life time of missionary work. We want to become like Christ, and He was the ultimate missionary!

By sharing the gospel, and being a missionary in our everyday lives, it brings us more happiness, helps us to feel the spirit even more in our lives, and will bring us great joy in the eternities.

Thank you for everything! (and the bacon jerky! it was delicious!)

Please continue to write and email when you can!

With much love,

Elder Patrick Wockenfuss 

Week 22 - Awesome Tie, Birthday Wishes, and a 7-Year-Old Revelation

My Dear Family,

Thank you so much for the emails you send! They always make me happy! As you can see from the ecstatic face gushing happiness and joy in the picture below, I *LOVE* the tie you sent me!!

I haven't had the chance to use the postcards yet, but I plan on it today! :) As for my birthday....I can't think of too terribly much at the moment. Being a missionary and all, I've been a bit busy, and haven't had the time to think too much on what I want for my birthday. But something that I know that I would like is a flip open Spanish-English electronic translator dictionary thing. I've seen a few missionaries with one, and I think it would make learning different words and conjugations a little easier. I think it's a merrium-webster brand that I've seen missionaries with, but I'm not sure. I just know that it flips open and has a keyboard. I'm not sure what else I want right now. But if I think of anything, I'll let you know :)

Elder Jensen and I had to miss church and basically all of life yesterday because he got sick Saturday afternoon, and had a fever of 103... I don't think I've ever wanted to get out of the house so badly before! It was so boring! But I tried to help Elder Jensen out as best I could, and he's getting better now! so that always good! :)

So this was super cool! the other day, I was studying PMG, and out of my old quad from seminary, and I came across a scripture in 2 Peter 1:4-8 and I had a note written next to the verses which said "could help for mission." My mind was blown! I basically received revelation for myself 7 years for my mission now! It talks about different attributes to add upon, and that if you have these things, you will not be unfruitful or barren in the knowledge of Christ.

So I thought that was super cool!

Please continue to write and email me when you can! I love hearing from you all!

With much love,

Elder Patrick Wockenfuss



[The letter to Buddy:]

This week, Elder Jensen and I were a couple of boogerheads. We live with another set of missionaries who are Zone Leaders for another Zone, and one day this week after they had left, Elder Jensen and I went and put their beds up on the roof of the kitchen area in our apartment hehehe XD See picture below for the wonderful rotten boogerheadedness

And then later on, we came back and found our beds all messed up too hahah (see other picture with blue frame)

So that was an adventure, but so much fun! They actually haven't moved their beds yet. They just sleep up there now haha and Elder Jensen and I have moved our mattresses down in the living room too next to the couch. Unorthodox, but very me! :P

Please continue to write and email when you can! I love hearing from you!

With much love,

Elder Patrick Wockenfuss


[And a quick note to Mary:]

One super awesome thing that happened is that we were out exploring our area, and talking to people. and we came across this man who was a construction worker for the Tijuana temple that just recently got finished, and he was telling us just how beautiful the temples are, and he told that someone had given him a Book of Mormon, and he wants to learn more about temples and the Book of Mormon! So we're gonna go by and teach him! so super excited! :D

Elder Wockenfuss in his "snazzy suit."
"A lot of people really like that suit too!"

Week 21 - Finding Truth and Studying Jesus Christ

My Dear Family,

Thank you for this email, mom. It definitely made me feel good! I don't tell you the bad days, because obviously I don't want to focus on them. But somehow you always know when I've had rough days and you all email me something that makes me realize that it's not anything wrong with me, or it helps me to see that it really wasn't too rough, because I made it though. So thank you so much!

Our Investigator Pedro is doing well! I believe we've met with him twice this week, and he told us that he was really wanting to know truth, and he believes that he can find it in the Book of Mormon. Everything that we've taught him makes sense to him, and he's hungering to know more. We're looking forward to the future with him!

Another couple that we are teaching want to get baptized, but they are not married, and they say that there's an issue that's preventing them from getting married, but they haven't told us what that is. So I'm not quite sure what to do, but with prayer, the spirit, and faith, and work, it'll all work out.

I'm not sure if I had told you, but for this transfer, our district is studying about Jesus Christ every Monday in our personal studies. So far, it's been really good! Today, we read/studied hymns about Jesus Christ. There are so many! I, of course studied "I know that my redeemer lives", "A poor wayfaring man of grief", and "I stand all amazed", all of which are amazing! But one that I really haven't taken much note of before is "Abide with me" (hymn 166). When I read this, I thought of it as a testimony and prayer. We know this world is getting crazy, but we have and even greater knowledge that because of the Atonement of Christ, He knows what we have suffered and what we will go through. And because of this, He can comfort us, and lead us safely through the deepening darkness in the world. And through constant prayer, faith, and relying upon Him (as the singer of this hymn), We can make it through.

On Independence Day, we actually had to be in a little early, because of partying and drunk people and whatever else, so to celebrate the holiday, we had a bunch of snacks to munch on, and watched a tiny bit of fireworks from the window :)

Thank you so much for all the pictures! They mean a lot to me!

Please continue to write and email when you can! It means a lot!

With much love,

Elder Patrick Wockenfuss

PS Did Katie get the birthday letter I sent her yet?